Chicago - Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that a Norridge contractor solicited roofing contracts without a license and collected up to $20,000 in fees for work that he failed to perform or completed in a substandard manner.

Madigan’s suit against Raymond Woodhouse and R.W. Roofing and Construction stems from complaints that six consumers made to the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.

The consumers notified the Attorney General’s office that Woodhouse entered into verbal and written contracts for roofing and home repair and remodeling services. According to the consumers’ complaints, Woodhouse collected down payments ranging from $600 to $3,500 and then either failed to perform the work or conducted the work in a substandard manner.

“My office is dedicated to protecting consumers from contractors who disregard the law and destroy homeowners’ plans to improve their homes,” Madigan said.

Madigan’s lawsuit alleges that Woodhouse violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act by performing work in a shoddy and unprofessional manner and failing to provide refunds to consumers. The complaint also alleges that Woodhouse failed to provide homeowners with written contracts and the “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” pamphlet, as required under Illinois law.

In the suit, Madigan asks the court to prohibit Woodhouse from engaging in the home repair trade. The lawsuit seeks restitution for consumers, a civil penalty of $50,000, additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to have been committed with the intent to defraud, and the recovery of the costs of the prosecution and investigation of the case.

Consumers who believe they have been the victim of a home repair scam or any other consumer fraud can download a complaint form at www.IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov/consumers or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at one of the following numbers: